View full sizeBruce Ely/The OregonianOregon Ducks sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett has the edge in experience over redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota. But Mariot's stellar performance in the spring game might have closed the gap.

Leading up to the start of Oregon football practice on Aug. 6, the Oregonian will take a look at the team, position-by-position.

Today: Quarterbacks

What we know: Coach Chip
Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich have their work cut out for them.
Sophomore Bryan Bennett and redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota are in what is
perceived to be a tight battle for the starting job. Bennett still holds the edge
in experience. He saw time last season in blowouts and started in place of an
injured Darron Thomas at Colorado. Bennett rushed for 200 yards on 23 attempts
(8.7 yard average) and completed 25 of 46 passes (54.3 percent) for 369 yards.

What we don't know: Who has the early lead? Mariota had the stronger spring
game against semi-live competition and since practices were closed, it's
anyone's guess as to who had the stronger, overall spring. According to coaches
it was a dead heat.

Reasons for optimism: Since moving to the spread-option attack in 2005, Oregon
has never had this much raw talent at the position. Kellen Clemens and Dennis
Dixon on the 2005 roster come close. But only Dixon possessed the running
ability displayed by both Bennett and Mariota. Each is perfectly equipped to
run Oregon's spread-option offense. Thomas, the starter the past two years,
threw a school record 66 touchdown passes but wasn't a dynamic runner. Both
Bennett and Mariota have the ability to take Oregon's offense to another level.

View full sizeAP Photo/Don RyanOregon quarterback Marcus Mariota looks for a receiver during the first half of their intra-squad spring NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Reasons for pessimism: Are either Bennett or Mariota ready lead a team for 14
games and deliver in the passing game? We simply don't know. The same questions
surrounded Thomas in 2010 and Jeremiah Masoli in 2009. Both flourished in
different ways, demonstrating that UO is skilled at placing young quarterbacks
in a position to succeed.

Budding star: Whoever starts at quarterback for Oregon will become an instant
star. The real question is going to be does the other man ultimately transfer?

2012 recruit to watch: Jake Rodrigues probably will redshirt this season. But
based on high school video, Rodrigues possesses a strong, accurate arm and
strong running abilities. The four-star recruit threw for 2,036 yards and 26
touchdowns in high school with five interceptions while rushing for 684 yards
and 15 touchdowns.

Position grade: B-. The potential for an A is there but the sample size is far
too small to go that high right now.